Do you know anything more fascinating and magical than a winter wedding?
A winter wedding gives you the opportunity to celebrate tradition with a modern touch, indulging your imagination in the choice of the perfect venue and decors.
Spring and summer are the most popular seasons for destination weddings in Italy, however winter celebrations have increased considerably, for a variety of reasons.
Think about the magical atmosphere of traditions and holidays that surrounds wintertime, especially close to the Christmas, and the fairytale backdrop created by the snowy landscapes.
Besides the beautiful scenery, this time of the year also offers countless sports activities as well as a cool climate for people who cannot stand the heat.
With regards to the style of your winter wedding, you can opt for an elegant and glamorous vibe or for more rustic fittings. For the first option, select white and gold compositions combined with a powerful lighting of candelabra, lanterns and fairy lights. For a rustic style, use natural elements such as pine needles, pinecones and moss together with warm colors typical of the holidays. This way you will add rustic touches to your special day and create an authentic alpine atmosphere.
The first step in the creation of your dream wedding is the selection of the perfect location.
Italy offers an infinite number of places to suit every taste. Here are three ideal areas for your winter wedding:
- Alps & Dolomites
These are among the most beautiful and charming mountains in Italy. High peaks over 3.000 mt high, extensive woodlands and a rich fauna are some of the interesting aspects of these regions.
Courmayeur, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Cervinia and Madonna di Campiglio are just a few of the areas that make the perfect setting for your winter wedding in northern Italy.
These are postcard towns attended by the Italian and international jet set and perfect for those couples who love the outdoor life and winter activities. You will have the opportunity to come across high-end restaurants and shops, as well as endless slopes for every level.
These picturesque towns offer a wide range of wedding venues with unique atmospheres.
If your dream is to get married in an isolated place with an intimate ceremony, opt for a small white chapel or a suggestive mountain church surrounded by a white snowy landscape. You can create a beautiful rustic style by hanging garlands of pine needles or small woods’ flowers on the church benches and lay a carpet to the aisle sprinkled with white and red petals.
Choose a warm and welcoming place such as a rustic wooden cabin or a typical restaurant like the Tyrolean Stube for a romantic wedding mountain-style. A courtesy appreciated by guests will be to offer wedding bags with a fleece cover, scarf and gloves to shelter them from the cold.
For a more elegant solution, you can opt for a luxury hotel or chalet with a spa and a starred restaurant, a prestigious place where you can also have your honeymoon.
Ski lovers have the opportunity to tie the knot on an alpine hut or on the slopes, reaching the venue on chairlifts or cableway. Here you can arrange an outdoor wedding cocktail with mulled wine and hot chocolate or arrange a brunch before heading back to the valley with ski or snowboard together with your guests.
To make your arrival at your chosen wedding venue more original and memorable, how about make a scenic entrance on a sled, snowmobile or a lovely horse-drawn carriage?
- Apennines
The Apennines are the second largest mountain range in Italy and extend for about 1.350 km from north to south along the spine of the country.
It is a pristine place characterized by a rich variety of ecosystems. Large beech forests, open hillsides and alpine grasslands are ideal for those who desire to hold a truly original wedding.
If you are a lover of nature, you can enjoy the beauties and attractions of one of the countless Apennines’ natural parks together with your guests. In addition to the breathtaking winter scenery, many offer several activities, from cross-country skiing to snowshoeing. If that sounds like the ideal place to you then the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park is definitely not to be missed.
For those who prefer to ski, we recommend the Central Apennines. Here you can find the highest peaks of the entire mountain range, as well as the third largest protected natural reserve in Italy, the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park. In Abruzzo, you will look forward to 246 kilometers of slopes, several ski resorts and wedding venues in country chic style.
If you are looking for an alternative location that will leave your guests speechless, choose a winter castle. Set up its halls to create a fairytale, magical atmosphere with cascades of lights, candles, curtains and all the details that will give life to your winter wedding.
One of the upsides of picking a castle is the availability of several large, refined halls and in some cases also a private park with a romantic winter garden that will make your day even more romantic and unique.
- Sicily
Considered one of the most beautiful islands in the world, Sicily has a timeless charm thanks to its traditions and contrasts. For many centuries it has been a crossroads of people and a unique blend of cultures (from the Arabs dominations to the Spanish influences, from the Romans to the Normans) that have made this island a dynamic and constantly evolving land.
Thanks to its mild climate, its fabulous views and its countless venues characterized by different styles, Sicily is the perfect choice for winter weddings.
Opt for Taormina’s exclusive locations such as historical villas and high-end boutique hotel or for the majestic baroque palaces of Palermo and Catania with interiors that take your breath away.
There are also wonderful cathedrals such as those of Monreale and Cefalù, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and alternative, re-evaluated places such as the historical fishing villages of the Tonnare.
If you want to impress all your guests with a unique and unconventional destination wedding, hold it on top of Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe.
At about 1.800 meters above the sea level, in an impervious but stunning location, you will realize your true high-altitude dream. Imagine your ceremony on the Silvestri craters surrounded by snow, followed by a reception in a historical hotel at the foot of the volcano.
On your wedding reception you will enjoy a rich local cuisine with traditional Sicilian dishes, characterized by a riot of flavors and scents together with the human warmth that has always enveloped this land.
Choose the Italian area that best suits your dream winter wedding style. From North to South, Italy offers countless stunning places to plan a magical winter event.
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